Changes in coagulation and markers of fibrinolysis in horses undergoing colic surgery

Activation of coagulation can be frequently found in horses with colic. However, it has also been demonstrated as a sequela of surgical trauma alone in humans. The purpose of the present study was to determine changes in coagulation and fibrinolysis in horses that underwent colic surgery and to evaluate whether these changes were secondary to the colic or the surgery and wound healing. Thirty horses that underwent colic surgery with uncomplicated recovery were included. Ten horses with a Forssell's procedure served as control group with a standardized surgical trauma. Besides daily physical examinations during the observation period of 10 days, activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time and thrombin time as well as fibrin monomer (FM), D-Dimer (DD) and antithrombin (AT) III were determined. Compared with the control group the aPTT was the only standard coagulation test that was significantly prolonged before and after the event of colic surgery. After surgery, hyperfibrinogenaemia occurred in all groups. In colic groups FM and DD concentrations were within reference range at admission,and were significantly greater than in control horses after surgery. AT III activity decreased after colic surgery, but did not change in the control group. It was concluded that an activated coagulation state after colic surgery has to be expected, resulting not only from the colic disease, but also from the event of surgery.     

Microparticles containing gallic and ellagic acids for the biological control of bacterial diseases of kiwifruit plants

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Over the last decades, kiwifruit cultivation has gained increasing importance all over the world, but some bacterial diseases seriously threaten its...     

Antibacterial activity of coumarin as an innovative organic control strategy for Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Bacterial spot caused by Xanthomonas euvesicatoria pv. euvesicatoria (Xanteu) is one of the major causes of yield losses in tomato (Lycopersicon...     

A recombinant flagellin fragment,which includes the epitopes flg22 and flgII-28, provides a useful tool to study flagellin-triggered immunity

Plants and animals independently evolved the ability to recognize flagellin (also called FliC), the building block of the bacterial flagellum, as part of their innate immune response. While animals recognize a relatively large region of FliC, most plants recognize one or two short epitopes of FliC: flg22 and flgII-28. However, since most research in plants has focused on flg22 and flgII-28 and not the actual FliC protein, the importance of any FliC region beyond the two epitopes in plant immunity is poorly understood. Here we report cloning, overexpression, and purification of a Pseudomonas syringae FliC fragment from amino acid 1 to 143, which includes both FliC epitopes and the adjacent alpha helices. Exposing Arabidopsis thaliana leaves to FliC_1–143 did not reveal any additional FliC recognition capabilities beyond flg22. However, while the kiwifruit species Actinidia arguta did not respond to either flg22 or flgII-28, treatment of A. arguta leaves with FliC_1–143 triggered a significant reactive oxygen response, indicating recognition. This result suggests that in some plant species, recognition of FliC requires regions of FliC beyond the two well-known epitopes and that FliC_1–143 represents a useful tool in the study of plant immunity.     

Natural antimicrobials in spray-dried microparticles based on cellulose derivatives as potential eco-compatible agrochemicals

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - It has been demonstrated that some aromatic substances synthesized by plants serve as plant defense mechanisms. However, natural extracts are difficult to...     

Bacterial canker on kiwifruit in Italy: anatomical changes in the wood and in the primary infection sites

The bacterial canker of kiwifruit caused by Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae is a severe threat to kiwifruit production worldwide. Many aspects of P. syringae pv. actinidiae biology and epidemiology still require in-depth investigation. The infection by and spread of P. syringae pv. actinidiae in xylem and phloem was investigated by carrying out artificial inoculation experiments with histological and dendrochronological analyses of naturally diseased plants in Italy. We found that the bacterium can infect host plants by entering natural openings and lesions. In naturally infected kiwifruit plants, P. syringae pv. actinidiae is present in the lenticels as well as in the dead phloem tissue beneath the lenticels, surrounded by a lesion in the periderm which appears to indicate the importance of lenticels to kiwifruit infection. Biofilm formation was observed outside and inside plants. In cases of advanced stages of P. syringae pv. actinidiae infection, neuroses of the phloem occur, which are followed by cambial dieback and most likely by infection of the xylem. Anatomical changes in wood such as reduced ring width, a drastic reduction in vessel size, and the presence of tyloses were observed within several infected sites. In the field, these changes occur only a year after the first leaf symptoms are observed suggesting a significant time lapse between primary and secondary symptoms. It was possible to study the temporal development of P. syringae pv. actinidiae-induced cambial dieback by applying dendrochronology methods which revealed that cambial dieback occurs only during the growing season.     

An Open‐label Phase 1 Dose‐escalation Clinical Trial of a Single Intravenous Administration of Gemcitabine in Dogs with Advanced Solid Tumors

Background

A broad range of gemcitabine dosages have been used in dogs.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To determine maximally tolerated dose (MTD), dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT), and preliminary antitumor activity of intravenous administration of gemcitabine in dogs with advanced solid tumors.

Animals

Twenty‐two client‐owned dogs.

Methods

Dogs with advanced cancer were prospectively enrolled in an open‐label Phase 1 study of gemcitabine. Gemcitabine was administered as a 30‐minute intravenous bolus starting at 800 mg/m², using escalation of 50 mg/m² increments with 3 dogs per dose level. MTD was established based on the number of dogs experiencing DLT assessed after 1 cycle. Treatment continued until disease progression or unacceptable toxicosis. Additional dogs were enrolled at MTD to better characterize tolerability, and to assess the extent and duration of gemcitabine excretion.

Results

Twenty‐two dogs were treated at 4 dose levels, ranging from 800 to 950 mg/m². Neutropenia was identified as DLT. MTD was 900 mg/m². DLT consisting of grade 4 febrile neutropenia was observed at 950 mg/m² in 2 dogs. There were no nonhematologic DLTs. Twenty dogs received multiple doses, and none had evidence of severe toxicosis from any of their subsequent treatments. At 900 mg/m², 2 complete and 5 partial responses were observed in dogs with measurable tumors. The amount of gemcitabine excreted in urine decreased over time, and was undetectable after the first 24 hours.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

The recommended dose of gemcitabine for future Phase 2 studies is weekly 900 mg/m². In chemotherapy‐naïve dogs with advanced solid tumor this dose level merits further evaluation.     

Clinical symptoms of and diagnostic possibilities for hypophyseal adenoma in horses

Hirsutism was the most often observed symptom in horses with a pituitary gland tumor and was present in all 13 examined horses. Other symptoms were atrophy of muscles (n = 10), hyperhidrosis (n = 8), polyuria/polydipsia (n = 5), bulging or supraorbital fat (n = 3), polyphagia (n = 2), apathy (n = 2) and seizures (n = 2). Laminitis was the most frequently observed concurrent disease (n = 8). Hyperglycaemia (mean, 9.9 +/- 3.71 mmol/l) in 13 horses and glucosuria (median, 55 [range, 2-55] mmol/l) in 7 horses were the most important laboratory results. The dexamethasone suppression test was positive in all tested horses (n = 9) 20 h after administration of dexamethasone. The pituitary gland tumor was visible in every case underwent computed tomography (n = 7). From these results it can be concluded that a pituitary gland tumor can be suspected based on typical clinical signs. Hyperglycaemia and glucosuria support the preliminary diagnosis and a positive dexamethasone suppression test allows a final diagnosis.